Biomedical Instrument Technician

Install, test and repair medical equipment and instruments.

Quick Stats

Salary Range

$26,000 – $71,000

Data from U.S. Department of Labor

What do Biomedical Instrument Technicians do?

Biomedical Instrument Technicians use their highly specialized knowledge of various medical diagnostic equipment to design, test, install, and repair the machines and tools used to diagnose patients at a hospital or clinic. Working as a Biomedical Instrument Technician puts you in charge of setting up a network of easy-to-use and properly functioning machines for diagnosing and treating the wide range of illnesses Doctors see every day.

As a budding Biomedical Instrument Technician, you start by keeping an eye on the equipment found throughout your employer’s treatment center. One minute, you’re calibrating a defibrillator, and the next, you’re repairing a CAT scanner. You make your rounds throughout the hospital, inspecting equipment to stop malfunctions before they occur.

Once you’ve spent time working one-on-one with the machines that are the heartbeat of the modern medical world, you might decide to try your hand at designing and manufacturing this equipment. Machine design doesn’t have the glitz and glamour of fashion design, but fashion design has never saved a life.

Manufacturers hire you to design not only machines that fit in smaller spaces and work more efficiently, but user interfaces as well. The interface is what Technicians see on screen when they use the machine, and the more user-friendly the interface, the less likely they are to hit the wrong button — a situation patients want to avoid. Even a simple interface requires a brief explanation. This keeps hospitals running smoothly, and sends patients home with an accurate diagnosis.

Should I be a Biomedical Instrument Technician?

You should have
an
associate's
degree or higher and share these traits:

Detail Oriented:
You pay close attention to all the little details.

Persistent:
You keep pushing through, even when faced with tough obstacles.

Reliable:
You can always be counted on to do a good job.

How to Become a
Biomedical Instrument Technician

We recommend at least
an
Associate's
degree.
Check out these schools offering
Biomedical Instrument Technician-related education!